Tannery Pond Concerts presents a season of six to seven chamber concerts between May and October in the Tannery on the grounds of the Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY.
The Tannery, built by the Shakers in 1834, is a plain barn-like structure of warmly resonant wood unusually favorable to the sounds of chamber music, whether string ensemble, voice, piano, or small orchestra. Its size (it seats 290) fosters an intimate and interactive relationship between performers and artists, providing an unusual and exciting opportunity for closeness with the renowned artists that have appeared at Tannery Pond since its inception in 1991.
The atmosphere of the concerts, which are produced by a board of volunteers, is informal, friendly, and low-key. The music making consistently reaches a high standard of excellence. The artistic director is Christian Steiner, himself a concert pianist and a photographer of musicians. Remarkable attention to detail is apparent in all aspects of the series, from program development and fundraising to lighting and flowers for the stage.
Since Tannery Pond’s beginning 15 years ago, our objective has never wavered: to present outstanding musicians in an intimate and beautiful setting. The concerts at Tannery Pond are unique in their high artistic caliber, their imaginative programming, and the exquisite tranquility of the Darrow School site. Here you will find the intimacy of a true chamber music environment with no endless waiting lines, no crowded parking lots. We have maintained low ticket prices with stubborn dedication, and we have enjoyed the positive support of all who have participated in the series, including audiences, reviewers, donors, advertisers, local businesses, and members of the surrounding communities.Steiner made piano recordings with RCA-Reader’s Digest and was a guest soloist with orchestras in Berlin and New York; more recent engagements at the keyboard include performances with the Berkeley Symphony under Kent Nagano, and with the National Symphony of Mexico. He also performed chamber music with members of the Berlin
Philharmonic Octet and recitals with his late brother Peter in Europe and the USA Among the singers he has collaborated with in recital are Jessye Norman and Carol Vaness.
Steiner is the artistic director of The Tannery Pond Concerts, a summer chamber music festival in the Berkshires.
